This was an extremely interesting read that included a glimpse into the "unseen" backstage life of Kurt Cobain. I recommend it to any Nirvana fan because it definitely provides a new view of his personal life that is not usually covered. That being said, the author is terribly biased and portrays Kurt as a complete suicidal psycho albeit a genius one that paints pictures using his own poop, obsessively collectes strange antiques, enjoys drawing aliens and making collages of vaginas. To me, the author paints Kurt as almost inhuman, emphasizing that he did not have normal emotions. I don't know, I'm not a Cobain expert, but I just didn't like the obvious bias that he killed himself, for there are many others who argue otherwise.Overall, I really liked this book, especially the collectibles that come along with it. The orginal price for this book was $46.00 plus tax and I normally don't spend any money on a book unless it's worth it, especially not $46.00. The day I went to Barnes and Nobles and purchase Cobain Unseen, I was not looking to purchase a book, I went to hang out with two girlfriends and browse the book isles while also eating at the cafe a hot chocolate with a chocolate biscotti when my feet hurt from browsing over and over. Luckily both of my girlfriends love to read, and we grabbed books, read some and put them down. Then I saw Cobain Unseen at the bottom shelf of the music section, it was wrapped up in plastic, and it looked like a hidden gem on such a dark shelf. I picked it up and knew that I was going to walk out of the store with the book, and my wallet would be a little sad by the end of this book store visit.Now if you know me, you know I adore Nirvana. But what do I adore more then Nirvana? Kurt Donald Cobain. Yes, I call this man my hero, my inspiration, my obsession and it is sort of unhealthy. I have collected all Nirvana DVD's, his biography books (most have been stolen from the school or local library and never returned), his documentary's are saved to my computer. I am the Kurt Cobain fan of my generation, and that generation never got to know Kurt Cobain because he passed away in the exact year I was born. But Cobain Unseen is by far my favorite book I own, and for this reason I have valued it and kept it in perfect conditions that not a speck is on it to this very day.The book was written by Charles R. Cross who went into a lot of detail putting this book together, and it speaks for itself. It's very nicely written, and it's in a different format then most books, because it's a pop up, oh what fun! It's really fun to unfold different parts of Cobain's life while reading the whole book, their little treasures such as concert tickets, one of Cobain's old drawing, lyrics written on a notebook etc. The colors in this book are very vibrant with the pictures, they're a bunch of awesome photography from Kurt's childhood to Kurt's suicide, all followed up with his biography told in great detail. It starts the story with Kurt being a regular Seattle Kid, who's a great artist and who's aunt inspires him by buying him his first guitar and giving his first record player, we then learn about Kurt's ADD problem and all the pills he was prescribed in order to be kept under control, at the same time we are learning about his parents divorcement.As Kurt grows up we learn about how the band begins to form, and this musical Kurt is molded. We find out that he drops out of High School and moves in with his then girlfriend, writes her a couple songs, then they break up. Kurt always wanted to be part of a band called the Misfits, but never gets to join instead he's always sort of like groupie. Finally we get to know how the actual Nirvana Band meets after some problems occurring (won't give any spoilers). Then Kurt meets Courtney the second woman to enter his life in a romantic sort of form. Really really love Courtney, and dedicates his life to making her happy, writes a couple songs for her, makes her heart shape boxes, and eventually they get married. During this whole times Kurt has been having these depressive moments (something it seems Kurt always suffered from) and his attitude starts changing. Kurt is hooked on drugs, but he's taking them more aggressively that he is showing some anger in concerts, that it takes a bundle of joy named Francis Bean Cobain to bring his spirit up. Sadly in the end Kurt is just to deep in his own world, he gets himself out in 1994 by shooting heroin and putting a bullet to his head, only leaving a beautifully written suicide note.What I love about this book is that Charles R. Cross did a good job in portraying Cobain as more then just another Seattle Junkie who got eaten by fame and just couldn't take it, instead he showed the potential in such young man who didn't know how to escape his own fear of reality. He focused on most good moments while still covering the obvious. It seems that when someone dies, everyone wants to remember the good things about the person, not the bad things, and Cross took that into some conservation. The book ends not with a heroin addict, but just a man who will be missed in the music industry. I've reread this book over and over and every time I can't put it down, I finally found it at a bargain price, guess it wasn't as popular. But I don't regret the day I found it and bought it home.
What do You think about Kurt Cobain Intim Buch (2008)?
I find it hilarious how some people take themselves so seriously writing reviews on here. As if their lives or livelihoods dependent on it. People can be very self absorbed about it all. Listen to me!! My opinion matters!! And of course it does because it means people like me get opinions and access to books they wouldn't otherwise come across. Then there are the people who take things to pieces for no reason apart to show how clever they are and are maybe uber resentful because they are not fulfilling their dreams of being professional writers. It's kinda paradoxical. A bit like Cobain, his life and this book. He was interesting and cool but took himself too seriously, a bit like the reviews on this book! If you are a nirvana and Cobain obsessive you will love this, that's pretty obvious. If you are a nirvana fan but less interested in Cobain you will like it but maybe find it less engaging. I love nirvana, as in the music, as I've got older I've got a bit bored of the folklore. If you are new to nirvana or want to enter Cobains world, again, worth a look. What I do not see the point of is none nirvana fans looking at this then whining about how rubbish it is afterwards. Get a life for Christ sakes.
—cliff
this book captures Kurt's artistic side very, very well. illustrated with hundreds of photos and journal entries, it allows the reader to see his story from a different perspective. might be that Nirvana freaks will not find new info or facts here (I myself learnt only a few details that I hadn't known before), but the intimacy of Cobain Unseen pays everything off. it's definitely worth to have this book in your bookshelf
—cindal
